Baggage assembly

ABSTRACT

The assembly ( 10 ) comprises a hand truck ( 12 ) forming a bell-crank lever pivoted about an axis formed by support elements ( 16 ), the lever comprising a base ( 18 ) forming a first arm of the bell crank, and a frame ( 20 ) forming a second arm of the bell-crank. It also comprises a container ( 13 ) that can be separated from the truck ( 12 ). The assembly further comprises a compartment ( 22 ) provided on the container for fastening the container ( 13 ) onto the truck ( 12 ) in such a manner that the container ( 13 ) can bear equally well on the base ( 18 ) and on the frame ( 20 ).

The present invention relates to a baggage assembly having a collapsiblecontainer and a support for the container that can removably be storedwithin the container, especially when both the container and the supportare folded, to provide an overall assembly having a minimum of spacewhen both elements are folded.

Baggage assemblies having wheels and comprising a container secured to ahand truck are already known in the prior art. That type of baggage isthus practical in use but relatively bulky when not in use, since thetruck portion cannot be separated from the container portion.

The prior has generally discussed having a baggage assembly wherein thetruck can be removed from the container. Such an assembly has theadvantage of removing the truck from the container, thereby reducing thesize of the overall assembly when the hand truck is not in use. However,the container is not always well-adapted to the truck and often requiresadditional connections for securing the container onto the truck.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a baggage assemblyhaving a container that can receive a relatively large volume, thecontainer being well-adapted to the truck and the assembly being compactin its storage configuration.

To this end, the invention provides an assembly of the above-mentionedtype, characterized in that it further comprises a compartment forfastening the container onto the truck in such a manner that thecontainer can bear equally well on the truck base and on the truckframe.

Thus, in the invention, the container is well adapted to the truck andcan be fastened in optimum manner on said truck. In addition, since thecontainer can be removed from the truck, the assembly maintains theadvantage of being capable of being stored in a small space. Inparticular, it is desired that the hand truck be capable of being storedin the container and that the container itself be capable of beingcollapsed when not in use.

These and other objects of the present invention are provided by abaggage assembly having a container and a removable hand truck wherein:

-   -   a sheath is provided on the container for removably receiving        the frame of said truck;    -   the sheath is defined by two panels provided with complementary        edges designed to be connected together by a fastener, such as a        zipper, separation of the complementary sheath edges enabling        the frame to be inserted in the sheath;    -   the panels of the sheath are trapezoidal, in such a manner that        the end of the sheath designed to be closer to the base of the        truck is wider than the end of the sheath more removed from the        base of the truck;    -   the frame has a first end hinged on the base between a folded        position in which the frame is folded down onto the base and        generally parallel to it and an upstanding position in which the        frame stands up from the base, generally perpendicular to the        base;    -   the frame has a second end provided with a handle;    -   the frame is telescopic;    -   the base includes an extension piece, in particular a fold-away        extension piece, in the form of a metal rod;    -   the container is generally in the shape of a rectangular        parallelepiped comprising two end faces that are connected        together by side faces;    -   the sheath is provided on a side face in such a manner that an        end face bears on the base when the container is fastened on the        truck;    -   an access opening is provided in a side face that is opposite        from the side face of the sheath, to allow access to the        interior of the container;    -   the container can be folded up by moving the two end faces        together, each end face being provided with complementary        fasteners, such as a zipper, for releasably maintaining the        container in its folded configuration;    -   the container is made of pliable material; and    -   the container comprises a pocket for receiving the folded truck.

The invention will be better understood on reading the followingdescription, given solely by way of example, and made with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a baggage assembly of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the baggage assembly of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hand truck of the baggage assembly,in which the hand truck is in a deployed or unfolded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the hand truck of the baggage assembly of theinvention, in which the hand truck is in a folded configuration;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the container of the baggage assembly of theinvention, which the container is in the deployed or non-collapsedconfiguration; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the container of FIG. 5, in the folded or collapsedconfiguration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a baggage-forming assembly given overall reference10, FIG. 1 being a perspective front view of the assembly 10, and FIG. 2being a perspective rear view of the assembly 10.

The assembly 10 includes a hand truck, generally designated 12, and acollapsible or foldable container, generally designated 13, that can beseparated from the truck 12. In the example described, the container isgenerally in the form of a pliable bag.

Hand truck 12 forms a bell-crank lever pivoted about an axis formed bysupport elements 14. The support elements 14 advantageously take theform of two wheels 16. Wheels 16 are disposed apart from each other,with the spacing between the two wheels adapted to the width of thecontainer 13 so as to ensure that the assembly 10 is stable while thecontainer 13 is fastened on the truck 12. The truck 12 has a base 18forming a first arm of the bell-crank, and a frame 20 forming a secondarm of the bell-crank.

In the preferred embodiment, the spacing between the wheels is slightlyless than the confines of container 13. While stability would also beachieved by making the spacing between the wheels even greater, byhaving the wheels (and the overall base 18 of the hand truck 12)somewhat smaller than the confines of end face 38 b of the collapsiblebag, stability is provided while, at the same time, the hand truck 12may be folded and can fit within container 13, as will be explainedhereinafter.

The assembly 10 is designed in such a manner that the container 13 iswell adapted to the truck 12. To this end, the assembly 10 includes afastener assembly 22 provided on the container 13 for fastening thecontainer 13 onto the truck 12 in such a manner that the container 13can bear equally well on hand truck base 18 and on hand truck frame 20.

The fastener assembly 22 includes a sheath 24 provided on the container13. The sheath provides a compartment in which the frame 20 is intendedto be received. The sheath 24 is defined by two panels 26 provided withcomplementary edges designed to be connected together by releasablefasteners, such as a zipper 28. When zipper 28 is opened, the edges ofthe panels 26 may be separated opening, one from the other, therebyopening the compartment and providing access to sheath 24.

Thus, when the container 13 is full and therefore relatively heavy, thecontainer 13 can still be fastened easily onto the truck 12 by openingthe zipper 28 enabling the two panels 26 to be moved apart. The frame 20of the hand truck is then inserted between the two panels 26, which arethen closed over the frame 20 by closing zipper 28.

Advantageously, the panels 26 of the sheath 24 are trapezoidal, in sucha manner that the end of the sheath 24 designed to be closer to the base18 is the wider end. In other words, the bottom end of the sheath iswider than the top end of the sheath (e.g., the end of the sheath moreremoved from the base of the frame), as can be seen in FIG. 2. Thegenerally trapezoidal shape of the sheath also makes it possible todistinguish the end of container 13 that bears or rests on base 18 ofthe hand truck from the end of the container that is remote from handtruck base 18.

It should also be noted that the sheath 24 has reinforcing pieces 30designed to cover the zones where the sheath 24 is subject to wear, thatis, the areas where the frame 20 of the hand truck bears against thesheath.

Thus sheath 24 provides a support for container 13 in a manner in whichthe container can be easily and readily attached to the frame of thehand truck. At the same time, the base 18 of the hand truck readilysupports container 13. Thus, the assembly provides a way for fasteningthe container equally well on base 18 of the truck and on frame 20 ofthe truck.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the truck 12 in greater detail.

Since the container 13 can be removed from the truck 12 (by openingzipper 28 and removing the frame of the truck from sheath 24), thecontainer 13 and the truck 12 are easier to store whenever the assembly10 is not in use. In order to make storage even easier, the truck 12 issuitable for folding between a deployed or unfolded workingconfiguration (shown in FIG. 3) and a folded storage configuration(shown in FIG. 4).

It should be noted in FIG. 3 that the frame 20 is provided with twotelescopic tubes, and that it has a first end 20 a hinged on the base18.

Frame 20 is capable of moving between a folded position in which theframe 20 is folded down onto the base 18 such that frame 20 is generallyparallel to base 18 (see FIG. 4) and an upstanding position in which theframe 20 is generally perpendicular to base 18 (see FIG. 3).

The frame 20 also has a second end 20 b provided with a holding element,e.g. a handle 32, interconnecting the two telescopic tubes. The handle32 includes an actuator 34 making it possible to control deployment ofthe telescopic frame 20.

Base 18 may also include an extension piece, e.g. a fold-away extensionpiece, comprising a metal rod 36. The metal rod 36 is bent in such amanner as to form a bracket for holding the container 13 on the base 18(see FIG. 1). When the container is loaded and resting on base 18, metalextension piece 36 is deployed. On the other hand, when the hand truckis folded for storage, extension piece 36 is folded away, in order toreduce the size of base 18.

FIG. 4 shows hand truck 12 in its folded position. When so folded, thehand truck occupies as little storage space as possible. Moreparticularly, in the folded position, the telescopic frame 20 isretracted telescopically substantially to one fourth of its size in thedeployed position, and it is then folded down onto the base 18.Similarly, the metal rod 36 is also folded onto the base 18 in such amanner that the truck occupies only a relatively small volume.

A feature of the present invention is that container 13 can also befolded up or collapsed, as may be appreciated by comparing the containeras shown in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6.

In the deployed or non-collapsed configuration, the container 13 isgenerally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, as shown inFIG. 1. The container 13 thus has two end faces 38 a and 38 b that areconnected together by side faces 40.

It should be noted that in order to stiffen the container 13 in thedeployed position, the assembly 10 may include a foldable stiffeninglining (not shown).

The sheath 24 is defined by one of the side faces 40 and by the twopanels which are sewn onto said side face 40, while the side faceopposite from the side face of the sheath has an access opening 41 thatis generally closed by a zipper or other appropriate fastener. Theaccess opening provides access to the interior of container 13.

FIG. 5 is a view of one of the side faces 40, referred to as the “rear”face 40 a of the container 13 when it is in its deployed ornon-collapsed (e.g., non-folded) position. The sheath 24 is provided onsaid rear face 40 a in such a manner that the end face 38 b closer tothe wider end of the sheath 24 rests on the base 18 when the container13 is fastened on the truck 12 (see FIG. 1).

The elements of the container 13 shown in FIG. 2 are referenced inidentical manner in FIG. 5.

Each end 38 a, 38 b also includes a handle 42 a, 42 b, enabling the userto lift the container regardless of which way it is facing.

The container 13 includes another handle 44 provided on a side face 40adjacent to the face having the sheath 24, enabling the user to carrythe container 13 in the same way as a sports bag.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the container 13 in itscollapsed and folded position.

In order to be easy to fold up, the container 13 is made of pliablematerial. Such a material can include nylon or canvas, although othermaterials may be used. The container can thus be folded up by moving thetwo end faces 38 a, 38 b together, each end face being provided withcomplementary fastener element, such as a zipper 46, for maintaining thecontainer in its the folded-up configuration.

Thus both hand truck 12 and the container 13 can be folded in such asmanner as to occupy as little storage space as possible.

Advantageously, container 13 includes a pocket 48 (shown in FIG. 1) forreceiving and storing hand truck 12, said pocket being designed to beclosed by a zipper or other fastener 50. The folded truck 12 istherefore capable of being received in the folded-up container 13 so asto make the assembly 10 as small as possible, and preferably so as toensure that the truck 12 is stored together with the container 13.

While the present invention has been described with reference to aparticular embodiment, it is apparent that other and further refinementsthereof are possible. For example, while the fasteners described in theinvention have taken the form of zippers, it is apparent that other waysof keeping the elements of container releasably closed are possible. Forexample, the elements may be kept closed by cooperating “Velcro”fasteners. Thus the above description is merely illustrative of thepresent invention, which is defined by the following claims.

1. A baggage assembly comprising: a hand truck having a bell-crank leverpivoted about an axis formed by support elements, the lever having abase forming a first arm of the bell-crank, and a frame forming a secondarm of the bell-crank; and a container removably and selectivelyseparated from said hand truck, said container including a compartmentfor receiving said frame of said hand truck to support said container assaid container rests on said hand truck base.
 2. A baggage assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said compartment includes a sheathprovided on the container for receiving said frame.
 3. A baggageassembly according to claim 2, wherein said sheath includes two panels,each of said panels provided with complementary edges designed to beconnected together by a releasable fastener, separation of thecomplementary fastening edges enabling said frame to be inserted intosaid sheath.
 4. A baggage assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidfastener is a zipper.
 5. A baggage assembly according to claim 3,wherein said panels are generally trapezoidal in shape.
 6. A baggageassembly according to claim 5 wherein said sheath has a top end and abase end, the base end of the sheath being wider than the top end ofsaid sheath.
 7. A baggage assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidframe has a first frame end, said frame end hinged on said frame baseand movable between a folded position in which said frame is foldedgenerally parallel to said base and an upstanding position in which saidframe is generally perpendicular to said base.
 8. A baggage assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein said frame has a second end, said secondend provided with a handle.
 9. A baggage assembly according to claim 8,wherein said frame is telescopic.
 10. A baggage assembly according toclaim 9, wherein said base includes a foldable extension piece furthersupporting said container on said base.
 11. A baggage assembly accordingto claim 3, wherein said container is generally in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped having two end faces and having side faces,said end faces connected together by said side faces.
 12. A baggageassembly according to claim 11, wherein said sheath is located on a sideface of said container such that an end face of said container rests onthe said base of said hand truck when said container is fastened to saidhand truck.
 13. A baggage assembly according to claim 12, wherein saidcontainer includes an access opening provided in a side face, saidaccess opening located on a container side face that is opposite fromthe side face having said sheath.
 14. A baggage assembly according toany one of claims 11, wherein said container can be folded andmaintained in its folded condition by moving said two end facestogether, each end face being provided with a complementary fastenerreleasably keeping the container in its folded condition.
 15. A baggageassembly according to claim 14, wherein said complementary fastener is azipper.
 16. A baggage assembly according to claim 15, wherein saidcontainer is constructed of a pliable material.
 17. A baggage assemblyaccording claim 14, wherein said container includes a storage pocketwhich can store said hand truck when said hand truck is folded.
 18. Abaggage assembly according to claim 11, wherein said panels arereinforced where they bear against said frame.